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Chimay Gold

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For decades Chimay Gold was a refectory beer for the monks, brewed since the brewery restarted after the Second World War and only sold to the public from 2013. At 4.8 % ABV it is lower in alcohol than the other Chimay ales. Spicy, floral aromas with citrus and clove meet coriander and hop, followed by a balanced bitterness and a spicy aftertaste.

ABV
4.8%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter16 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
clovespicycoriander
clove
spicy
coriander
floral
citrusy
hoppy
Aroma
The nose opens with pronounced spice and floral notes, prominently featuring clove alongside coriander—characteristics that suggest deliberate spice additions in the brew.
also:fruity,malty
not found:juicy,caramel,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Chimay Gold

◎ Appearance

Chimay Gold presents a bright golden hue with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent white head that leaves delicate lacing on the glass. The carbonation is well-integrated, creating a gentle effervescence that supports the foam structure without excess fizz. The overall presentation is clean and inviting, befitting a beer with monastic heritage.

bright goldenclearpersistent head lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with pronounced spice and floral notes, prominently featuring clove alongside coriander—characteristics that suggest deliberate spice additions in the brew. Citrus and herbal hop aromatics emerge in the mid-nose, adding brightness and complexity. A gentle maltiness provides a soft foundation without dominating the aromatic profile.

clove, coriander spicecitrus, herbal hopsfloral notes

◐ Taste

The palate enters with balanced maltiness and develops the promised spice profile—clove and coriander combine with a subtle citrus character that keeps the beer refreshing. A restrained but distinct bitterness builds through the mid-palate, held in proportion by the modest 16 IBU, creating an approachable beer without sharp edges. The malt provides sufficient sweetness to ground the spice without cloying.

balanced, spicedrestrained bitternesscitrus undertone

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and moderately long, with spice notes—particularly clove—persisting into the aftertaste. The bittering fades gracefully, leaving behind a warming, peppery impression that invites another sip.

dry, spicy aftertastemoderate length
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
80
Finish
75
Serve at 7–10°C

Serve at 7–10°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Goblet

The wide mouth and heavy base promote head formation and channel rich aromatics toward the nose. Traditional for Belgian strong ales.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Chimay Gold

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About Belgian Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Belgian Pale Ale?

Pale Ales balance malt sweetness with moderate hop character at 4.5–6% ABV and IBU 20–40. Approachable with floral, citrus or earthy notes over a biscuit malt base.

Finding a similar Belgian Pale Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same clove, spicy, coriander character as Chimay Gold will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all Belgian Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse Belgium beers →